ELECAM appointment disputes resolved

Disagreements that arose from the recent appointment of regional delegates is almost resolved.

The working atmosphere at the national election and referendum management body, Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, is once more beginning to be conducive after the recent standoff caused by the naming of regional delegates.

ELECAM Board Chair, Dr Fonkam Samuel Azu’u, had on July 9, 2014, signed an order - after the Board met – designating delegates for all the country’s 10 regions.

Soon after, the measure was resisted by ELECAM Director General, Mohaman Sani Tanimou, who argued that he was not consulted as the law demands. Then followed a period of stalemate as those replaced refused to hand over thus preventing their replacements from assuming duty.

However, there is hope that the conflict is witnessing denouement and an end to the whole saga is here. Recently, Mohaman Sani Tanimou accepted the Board Chair’s nominations for the South and South West Regions. Incidentally, the two former officials were due retirement.

Consequently, Edjongolo Armand Patrice replaced Nkoumou Ekongolo Victor André as ELECAM Regional Delegate for South while Ohka Bau Okha took over from Njang Emmanuel Mbeng in the South West.

Speaking to this paper on September 18, 2014, ELECAM Director General said it was time to bury the hatchet and move the institution forward.

It was in this respect that Edjongolo Armand Patrice and Ohka Bau Okha were sworn in on August 12, 2014. Elsewhere in the other eight regions, the status quo continues, but there is hope that normalcy would soon return, electoral officials assured.